Fungible furniture glide

ABSTRACT

A glide assembly for furniture legs or bases which allows for multiple combinations of attachment devices and base styles. The glide assembly will adapt to the attachment means required by the furniture being fitted which may include bolts, screws, nails, or split or solid stems. Base style choices for different flooring requirements can be interchanged and replaced as needed. This invention permits easy separation of the base from the mounting assembly by mere finger pressure or alternately by using a pry tool. One version of my new glide consists of a three part swivel assembly and another consists of a two part non-swivel assembly. The hard base option is of a unique design to allow for easier sliding on soft carpets or rugs. The soft base option can be fitted with a felt for easy sliding or rubber for non-skid use on hard flooring materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an improvement in the art of furniture glides, which are used to assist in movement of furniture or other fixtures on carpet or other flooring materials. The goal of furniture glides is to reduce friction to facilitate movement and to minimize damage to the flooring or the furniture. Many glides have provided these functions but choices were limited in combining the correct means of attachment with a suitable base material for the flooring on which the furniture was to be used. This invention allows for multiple combinations and flexibility of use.

The industry of furniture glides which is the putting of levelers, carpet protection and anti-mar floor leg attachments with swivel motion was started by D. Young, H. Graf and C. Shuppert (U.S. Pat. No. 766,210-1904). Orton C. Little (U.S. Pat. No. 822,963-1906) developed an enclosed device attached to the foot of the furniture leg and had the properties of swiveling and sliding when furniture was moved. Hachmann (U.S. Pat. No. 1,208,546-1916) was the first to devise a replaceable furniture tip for his glide. In 1920, J. A. Johnson was issued U.S. Pat. No. 1,341,133 for a Sliding Shoe for Furniture. He departed from Little by adapting the furniture shoe to attach with a solid pintle stem. In 1928, Oscar Larsenwas issued U.S. Pat. No. 1,659,540 for a Furniture Glider Shoe. Larsen attached his furniture shoe by screws into the furniture leg. This shoe was rigid and did not swivel. G. W. Sutton was issued U.S. Pat. No. 1,734,058 (Nov. 5, 1929) for his Sliding Furniture Shoe which provided for load distribution more evenly and for cushioning of the sliding shoe.

In 1932, Robert E. Miller was issued U.S. Pat. No. 1,869,574 for a Sliding Caster. A bent wire or a 3 prong attachment afforded a simpler installation by the user.

The next major change came with the onset of tubular style furniture legs. More intricate stamped metal parts were coming into use and attachment devices had to be contrived. By 1960, numerous similar styles were being devised, such as, U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,636 issued to R. J. Gammache for his Universal Furniture Foot which offered a spring steel attachment for inside tubular legs. R. Bock (U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,621-1991) and R. Carpinella (U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,923-2000) both had similar designs with different attachment devices for tubular legs. Ferencz (U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,982-2002) uses a pressure fit base to protect the floor from marring. Shiffler (U.S. Pat. No. 6,754,934-2004) shows a plurality of inner and outer base protrusions to protect the floor. Kenst and Downen (U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,052-2005) show a nailed support base into which is screwed a replaceable base.

I believe that my invention further advances the art and science of furniture glides forward another step and is not anticipated by any of the above prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention advances the art of furniture feet, glides and sliding shoes. Prior inventions were intended for one basic use or function. It has been difficult to match the style of attachment required by a specific piece of furniture with the material/style glide base needed for a specific use ie: furniture resting on a carpet, rug or on a hard flooring surface ie: wood, tile, slate, marble, linoleum.

This invention allows the end user to choose the correct means of attachment for the glide and match it with the correct base material/style for the circumstance. Styles include a swivel/self-leveling option to adapt to uneven flooring surfaces and a non-swivel glide where swiveling is not necessary. The non-swivel glide of my invention also offers a lower profile than is available with the swivel glide option.

This invention is the first to offer the above choices including the option to easily replace/interchange bases in accordance with use or wear without replacing the mounting components which remain on the piece of furniture.

This invention also offers a hard base, having an advanced concave design, reducing friction and damage to the flooring and the furniture being moved.

This invention provides a highly adaptable, functional, stylish and reasonably priced furniture glide for all styles and quality of furniture. The interchangeability feature allows for the easy removal of bases: simple finger pressure on the three part swivel design; and, the two part non-swivel design has a removal slot requiring a removal tool such as a small screwdriver or similar pry tool.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   9 & 9A outer locking rim widest diameter -   10 assembled view of 3 component swivel glide -   11 top hole in outer locking rim -   12 circumferential indent in outer locking rim -   13 hemispherical inner angle of outer locking rim -   14 top surface of inner attachment swivel hub -   15 concave weight bearing hub wall surface of inner attachment     swivel hub -   16 countersink recess in inner attachment swivel hub -   17 vertical flat clearance recess on inner attachment swivel hub -   18 top hole in inner attachment swivel hub -   19 mating groove with circumferential snap ring (in both bases) -   20 outer locking rim -   21 swivel channel in both bases -   22 convex weight bearing surface of both bases -   23 clearance space in both bases -   24 concave bottom surface of hard base -   25 flat bottom surface of soft base -   26 bottom surface material for soft base -   27 vertical flat clearance recess on non-swivel outer locking rim -   28 countersink recess of non-swivel outer locking rim -   29 top hole in non-swivel outer locking rim -   30 inner attachment swivel hub -   31 circumferential indent in non-swivel outer locking rim -   32 removal slot in outer locking rim (swivel and non-swivel) -   33 flat weight bearing surface on non-swivel outer locking rim -   40 hard glide base -   50 soft glide base -   60 soft glide base material -   70 non-swivel outer locking rim -   II-II Location of cross sections of FIGS. 2,3,4,5,6,7,8&9

LIST OF FIGURES

FIG. 1. Overall view of the 3 part swivel furniture glide (Assembly 10)

FIG. 2 Cross section of the outer locking rim for swivel furniture glide.

FIG. 3 Cross section of the inner attachment swivel hub.

FIG. 4 Cross section of the hard glide base.

FIG. 5 Cross section of the soft glide base.

FIG. 6 Cross section of bottom surface material for soft base

FIG. 7 Cross section of assembled 3 part swivel furniture glide (Assembly 10A)

FIG. 8 Cross section of outer locking rim for 2 part non-swivel furniture glide

FIG. 9 Cross section of assembled 2 part non-swivel furniture glide (Assembly 10B)

FIG. 10 Top view with vertical cross section through center line II-II

FIG. 11 Overall view of the 3 part swivel furniture glide installed in a furniture leg

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the glide Assembly 10 according to the embodiment of the invention. It consists of an outer locking rim 20 (FIG. 2), an inner attachment swivel hub 30 (FIG. 3), and optional base 40 (FIG. 4).

In FIG. 2 the outer locking rim 20 is a shallow round hemispheric outer shell which becomes a top shell for the base 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5) of the furniture glide of my invention. It may be made of plastic selected from a variety of materials such as ABS (hard) or polyethylene (soft). The outer locking rim 20 may also be made of metal, generally brass, but other metals, such, as iron, steel or aluminum may be used for aesthetic purposes. The diameter 9 and 9 a (FIG. 2) of the outer locking rim is intentionally designed to be larger than the diameter of the opposing base style to facilitate removal/replacement of bases by finger pressure alone without the need for tools or any special equipment. Removal slot 32 in the bottom outer edge of the outer locking rim 20 (FIG. 2) assists in removal of the base with a small screwdriver or similar pry tool for those lacking the finger dexterity to remove the base by hand. Alternatively, the removal slot 32 may be in each of the several base choices. The outer locking rim 20 (FIG. 2) has on its internal distal surface a circumferential indent 12 which will mate with base 40 or 50 at mating groove with circumferential snap ring 19 (FIG. 4 & FIG. 5) as a press/snap-fit connection. The outer locking rim 20 has an internal angle 13 (FIG. 2) making the outer shell hemispherical and allowing for clearance for the outside surface 14 of the inner attachment swivel hub 30 (FIG. 3). The outer locking rim 20 has a center hole 11 of such size to allow swivel ability to the inner attachment swivel hub from zero to fifteen degrees from center.

The inner attachment swivel hub 30 (FIG. 3) is fitted between the outer shell 20 (FIG. 2) and base 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5) and serves as a means for attachment to the furniture leg generally by a screw, bolt, nail or split or solid pin through its center hole 18. The side opposing top angle 14 is concave weight bearing hub wall 15 (FIG. 3) which mates with convex weight bearing surface 22 in base 40 or 50 (FIG. 4 & FIG. 5). Swivel channel 21 of base 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5) provides functional control depending on the direction of movement of the swivel action of the inner attachment swivel hub 30 (FIG. 3). A central hole 18 in the inner attachment swivel hub 30 (FIG. 3) has an angled side 16 which forms a countersunk support for means of attachment, for example, a screw, bolt, nail and solid or split stem. Vertical flat 17 forms a clearance recess for the head of a screw, bolt, nail or solid or split stem.

Base 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5) has its top surface mateable with the inner attachment swivel hub 30 (FIG. 3) and the locking rim 20 (FIG. 2). In base 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5) there is a clearance space 23 to accommodate a variety of attachment means such as screws or bolts with large heads.

The bottom surface 24 of base 40 (FIG. 4) is slightly concave to distribute the weight of the furniture to the outer edges of the bottom surface 24. This uneven concave surface will slide on a carpet easier than a flat surface, especially, when used in combination with the swiveling and leveling action of the glide. In FIG. 5, the base has a bottom surface 25, which is flat, to accommodate the attachment of a cushion 60 (FIG. 6) which generally is a base material 26 such as felt for a sliding function or a soft rubber for non-skid function.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of Assembly 10A of the three part swiveling version of the invention including a screw, in phantom, used as the method of attachment, the meeting of the weight bearing surfaces 15 (FIG. 3) and 22 (FIGS. 4&5) and the outer locking rim 20 (FIG. 2) mating with optional base 40 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 8 shows an optional non-swiveling outer locking rim 70 for a lower profile furniture glide where leveling is not required. Flat surface 33 forms the weight bearing surface for the mateable surface 22 on the attached base 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5). Vertical flat 27 forms a clearance recess for the head of the attachment means to the furniture leg corresponding to vertical flat 17 (FIG. 3). Countersink recess 28 is mateable for multiple attachment means such as screws, bolts, nails solid or split stems for attachment to the furniture leg corresponding to countersink recess 16 (FIG. 3). Top hole 29 corresponds to hole 18 (FIG. 3). Circumferential indent 31 relates to circumferential indent 12 (FIG. 2). Removal slot 32 (FIGS. 1,2,8,&11) provides a method of separating the base from the mounting assembly with a small screwdriver or similar pry tool.

FIG. 9 shows a cross section of Assembly 10B of the 2 part non-swivel glide comprised of the outer locking rim 70 (FIG. 8) and the optional base 40 (FIG. 4) including a screw, in phantom, used as the method of attachment and the meeting of the weight bearing surfaces 33 (FIG. 8) and 22 (FIGS. 4&5).

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the 3 part swiveling version of the glide designating the vertical cross sections (II-II) shown in Assemblies 10A and 10B (FIG. 7 & FIG. 9) and vertical cross section shown in components 20,30,40,50,60,70 (FIGS. 2,3,4,5,6 & 8).

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the 3 part swiveling version of the glide attached to a furniture leg depicting the degree of swivel and the removal slot 32 for the pry tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the assembled side view 10 of one version of my invention. This version is a three component swivel glide.

In FIG. 1, a swiveling furniture glide is assembled from three components: an inner attachment swivel hub 30, an outer locking rim 20 and optional hard base 40. This new furniture glide is designed to facilitate the movement of furniture over different flooring materials without damage to the flooring or the furniture. The choice of base styles is dependent on the flooring material on which the piece of furniture is to rest. Base style 40 is a hard base aiding in movement of an article of furniture over soft carpets or rugs. Base style 50 has flat bottom surface 25 as a support for a pad of a softer material 26 such as felt, rubber or plastic which is attached to it to reduce damage and to assist or resist movement when used on hard flooring (wood, tile, linoleum, etc.). All base styles are completely interchangeable, which is part of my new concept. Making the selected base replaceable without disturbing the original mounting assembly of the inner attachment swivel hub 30 or the outer locking rim 20 is a distinct advantage created by my invention. The outer locking rim 20 is fit over the inner attachment swivel hub 30 prior to mounting the inner attachment swivel hub 30 to the leg or base of the article of furniture being fitted. The mounting assembly 20 and 30 may be attached to the furniture leg by optional means such as a screw, bolt, nail or split or solid pin, which is another new concept of my invention. The base selected from bases 40 or 50 can then be snapped onto the outer locking rim 20 to complete the assembly. Either base can be easily removed with the fingers by pushing the outer locking rim 20 away from the base 40 or 50 toward the furniture to which it is attached thereby releasing the base 40 or 50 from the outer locking rim 20. In situations where the press/snap-fit has aged or been heated in the sun and becomes tighter than press/snap-fit, the parts can be separated by means of a pry tool such as a small screwdriver inserted into the removal slot 32 (FIGS. 1,2,8 &11). Replacement bases 40 or 50 are easily snapped onto the outer locking rim 20 to complete the assembly.

The method of attachment is to initially pass the attachment means ie: screw, bolt, nail or split or solid stem through the hole 18 in the inner attachment swivel hub 30 (FIG. 3), and through hole 11 in the outer locking rim 20 (FIG. 2). The two parts are then attached to the furniture leg. The three part swivel glide assembly is completed by snapping together the outer locking rim 20 and the selected base 40 or 50.

FIG. 2 represents a cross section of the outer locking rim 20 which functions, as a support, to hold either of the optional bases 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5) to complete the assembly of the embodiment of the invention. The top hole 11 is large enough to allow for swivel movement of the inner attachment swivel hub in the range from vertical to 15 degrees from center in all directions. This amount of swivel is sufficient for most normal furniture styles to maintain a flat and even contact of the glide base with the floor. The outer locking rim 20 has on its internal distal surface a circumferential indent 12 which will mate with bases 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5) at the mating groove with circumferential snap ring 19 (FIGS. 4 & 5) as a press/snap-fit connection. The outer locking rim 20 has an internal angle 13 making the outer shell hemispherical and allows for the swivel clearance of the outside surface 14 of the inner attachment swivel hub 30 (FIG. 3). The diameter 9 and 9 a of the outer locking rim 20 is intentionally larger than the diameter of the mateable base 40 or 50 to allow for easy release of the base to allow for removal/replacement of bases 40 or 50 by finger pressure alone without the need for tools or special equipment. Removal slot 32 in the bottom outer edge of the outer locking rim 20 (FIG. 2) assists in removal of the base with a small screwdriver or similar pry tool for those lacking the finger dexterity to remove the base by hand. Alternatively, the removal slot 32 may be in each of the several base choices.

FIG. 3 represents a cross section of the inner attachment swivel hub 36 which connects directly to the article of furniture and supports the outer locking rim. The inner attachment swivel hub 30 is fitted between the outer locking rim 20 (FIG. 2) and base 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5) and serves as a means for attachment to the article of furniture generally by a screw, bolt, nail or split or solid stem through it's center hole 18. Opposite angle 14 of the top surface of the inner attachment swivel hub 30 is the concave weight bearing inner hub wall 15 which mates with convex weight bearing surface 22 (FIGS. 4&5) of either base 40 or 50. Swivel channel 21 in base 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5) provides functional control in all directions of movement of the swivel action of the inner attachment swivel hub 30 in the range from vertical to 15 degrees from center. A central hole 18 in the inner attachment swivel hub 30 has an angled side 16 which forms a countersunk recess to accept means of attachments such as screws, bolts, nails or split or solid stems. Vertical flat 17 forms a clearance recess for the head of the attachment means.

FIG. 4 represents a cross section of the hard base style 40 of which the bottom surface 24 is slightly concave to more evenly distribute weight toward the outside edge of the glide but not indent deeply into the soft flooring surface, such as, carpets and rugs. This concave bottom surface 24 also assists in starting to move a piece of furniture in combination with the leveling and swiveling ability of the glide. A furniture leg tends to imprint into the carpet or rug and requires the glide to swivel in order to easily ride up the side of the imprint. Other glides are flat bottomed and carry the weight of the furniture evenly from the center but my glide is concave on the bottom and moves the weight of the furniture from even distribution on the bottom to the outer rim of the concave surface 24 encouraging movement assisted by the swivel/leveling action of the glide.

FIG. 5 represents a cross section of the soft base style 50 which has a flat surface 25 to accommodate the attachment of a cushion 60, in FIG. 6, which generally is a base material 26 such as felt for a sliding function or a soft rubber or plastic for a non-skid function.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 shows cross sections of the optional base styles 40 and 50. The top surface of these bases are identical and are mateable with the inner attachment swivel hub 30 and the outer locking rim 20 as explained above. In both bases 40 and 50, there is a clearance space 23 to accommodate a variety of attachment means such as screws, bolts, nails, split pins, etc. with large heads. Around the outer rim of each base 40 & 50 (FIGS. 4&5) is a mating groove with a circumferential snap ring 19 which is accepted by the indent 12 in the outer locking rim 20 (FIG. 2) and indent 31 in the non-swivel outer locking rim 70 (FIG. 8). The convex weight bearing surface 22 will moveably mate with the concave weight bearing surface 15 (FIG. 3) to enable the swivel function. Swivel channel 21 allows for the movement of the inner attachment swivel hub for the swivel action of the glide from vertical to 15 degrees from center.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section of Assembly 10A of the three part swivel glide (FIG. 1) to further illustrate the meeting of the weight bearing members which are the concave hub wall surface 15 (FIG. 3) and convex weight bearing surface 22 (FIGS. 4&5), the positioning of the inner attachment hub 30 (FIG. 3) with the attachment means, in phantom, and the outer locking rim 20 (FIG. 2) mating with optional base 40 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 8 represents a cross section of the non-swiveling outer locking rim 70. This modification is used when swiveling is not necessary and provides for a lower profile glide attachment. Horizontal flat 33 serves as a weight bearing surface to mate with convex weight bearing surface 22 of optional bases 40 and 50 (FIGS. 4&5). Vertical flat 27 relates to vertical flat 17 (FIG. 3) for additional clearance for the selected attachment means. Central hole 29 relates to central hole 18 (FIG. 3) and has an angled side 28 which relates to countersink recess 16 (FIG. 3) to accept numerous styles of screws, bolts, nails or various stem styles. Indent 31 is identical to indent 12 (FIG. 2) to mate with bases 40 or 50 (FIGS. 4&5). Removal slot 32 (FIGS. 1,2,8 &11) is required to release all base styles with the assist of a small screwdriver or similar prying tool.

FIG. 9 shows a vertical cross section of Assembly 10B of the 2 part non-swiveling furniture glide. This cross section shows the joining of optional base 40 (FIG. 4) with the non-swiveling outer locking rim 70 (FIG. 8) at circumferential indent 31 (FIG. 8) with mating groove with circumferential snap ring 19 (FIGS. 4&5) in optional base 40 (FIG. 4), the weight bearing surface 33 (FIG. 8) abutting convex weight bearing surface 22 (FIGS. 4 & 5), and the attachment means in phantom.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the furniture glide with the vertical cross sectionallocations indicated by II-II.

FIG. 11 is an overall view of the furniture glide attached to a furniture leg showing the swiveling ability of 0 to 15 degrees from top center and the removal slot 32 (FIGS. 1,2,8 &11) for the pry tool.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that certain variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments. It is the intention of the applicant to cover all such modifications and alternatives as may fall within the true scope of the invention as defined by means of the appended claims. 

1. A three part swiveling furniture glide or sliding shoe comprising: an outer locking rim, said outer locking rim being a hemispherical shell having a central hole at the top, at the expanded thicker bottom an inner circumferential snap indent, and at a single point on the bottom circumference a rectangular slot; an inner attachment swivel hub, said inner attachment swivel hub being a hemispherical shell with a central top hole, an inside countersunk recess, an adjacent vertical flat recess, an expanded thicker bottom with an adjacent concave swivel surface, these parts being the mounting assembly; a glide base, said glide base having a bottom with a central concave portion, an outer side convex portion, a top having an outer circumferential mating groove and snap ring, an adjacent flat portion being adjacent to a convex portion being adjacent to a central flat clearance space.
 2. The glide of claim 1 wherein said glide base bottom is flat.
 3. The glide of claim 2 wherein said glide base bottom removably adheres to a suitable base pad material such as a plastic, rubber or felt.
 4. A two part non-swiveling furniture glide or sliding shoe comprising: an outer locking rim, said outer locking rim being a hemispherical shell having a central hole at the top, at the expanded thicker bottom an inner circumferential snap indent adjacent to a bottom flat portion adjacent to a vertical portion adjacent to a countersunk recess; at a single point on the bottom circumference, a rectangular removal slot; a glide base, said glide base being the glide base of claim 1, claim 2 and claim
 3. 5. The glide of claim 1 wherein the mounting assembly is a press/snap-fit design for separation by finger pressure.
 6. The glide of claim 4 wherein the mounting assembly is a press/snap-fit design suitable for separation by means of a pry tool in a removal slot in the outer locking rim.
 7. The glide of claim 4 wherein the mounting assembly is a press/snap-fit design suitable for separation by means of a pry tool in a removal slot in the base. 